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Zhilei Zhang: Anthony Joshua is Afraid to Fight Me
In a recent interview with The MMA Hour, Zhilei Zhang the formidable Chinese heavyweight expressed his strong belief that Anthony Joshua is avoiding a fight with him. Speaking through a translator, Zhang boldly claimed, “Mark my words, he’s not fighting me. He’s not going to fight me, ever.”
Zhang and Joshua have a history that dates back to the 2012 Olympic Games, where the two first crossed paths. Despite their shared history, Zhang is convinced that Joshua has been avoiding him for years. “After the 2012 Olympic Games, that was when we initially collided. After that, it’s been so many years. I don’t think he’s ever going to fight me,” Zhang asserted.
Zhang’s conviction is not without basis. He recounted a specific incident where his managers traveled to London to negotiate a fight with Joshua. “My managers flew to London and I got words. So I don’t think he’s going to fight me,” Zhang said. The negotiations fell through, leaving Zhang puzzled and frustrated. “The closest time we had to getting the deal done was after AJ lost to Usyk and I lost to Filip Hrgovic in Saudi Arabia. My managers got an invitation, flew to London to talk to them, and got a no. I don’t know why. I don’t have a reason. That’s his problem. But if he ever wants to fight, I’m in.”
Zhang also took aim at Joshua’s choice of recent opponents, implying that Joshua’s selection process reveals a reluctance to face truly challenging fighters. “Look at his previous opponents. Francis Ngannou from the UFC, Robert Helenius, I don’t think he has what it takes to stand up against me. The way he picks his opponents says a lot about him,” Zhang remarked. He questioned Joshua’s readiness to claim he’s back at the top of the heavyweight division, stating, “Maybe people say he’s back. He knocked out Ngannou in two rounds, he beat Robert Helenius, knocked him out, and he beat Jermaine Franklin, Otto Wallin. I can’t say he’s back until I meet him in the ring and test him with my fists.”
Looking ahead, Zhang has his sights set on the top-ranked heavyweights in the world. “I’m looking at the top-ranked guys. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are definitely ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, and I’m looking to fight them, for sure,” he declared.
Zhilei Zhang’s challenge to Anthony Joshua is clear. Whether Joshua will step up to face Zhang remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Zhang is ready and willing to prove himself against the best in the heavyweight division. The boxing world eagerly awaits Joshua’s response to Zhang’s bold claims and whether a showdown between these two titans will finally materialize. Fight.TV is here for it!
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